Not iPhone SE4, Apple launches iPhone 16e with A18 chip, 2-in-1 camera, starting price from 16.99 million VND

After a long time of rumors, Apple has finally officially announced a new version of the iPhone SE series - no, to be more precise, a new version of the iPhone 16 series. This new iPhone model aimed at the affordable segment is called the iPhone 16e, with a starting price of only $ 599 (about 16.9 million VND). The phone is equipped with a single camera, A18 chip, Apple's first self-designed C1 modem, Action Button and many other features. All of this is true to the previous rumors about the iPhone SE4 model, or in other words, Apple made a last-minute decision to change the product name.

The iPhone 16e has rounded corners but squared-off sides with an aluminum frame, IP68 water and dust resistance. The device has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a notch design like the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13, which also houses the TrueDepth camera system that supports FaceID. The phone is equipped with a powerful A18 processor, supporting Apple's AI Intelligence feature set and delivering superior performance compared to the iPhone 11 as well as previous-generation iPhone SE models.

The iPhone 16e is also the first iPhone to use Apple's custom-designed 5G modem, called the C1. Apple says it's the most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone, improving battery life while still supporting all the latest connectivity standards, including satellite communications. Previously, the company's products mostly used modems made by Qualcomm.
Speaking of battery life, Apple hasn't announced battery capacity, but calling it the company's longest-lasting 6.1-inch iPhone, the iPhone 16e promises better battery life—up to 6 hours compared to the iPhone 11 and 12 hours compared to all iPhone SE generations.

Like other versions in the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 16e also has an Action Button, which allows you to customize shortcuts and actions such as Apple Intelligence, flashlight, camera, mute, translation, etc. Users can also use this Action Button for the Visual Intelligence feature, which allows pointing the camera at an object to provide more information about that object.

As for the camera, there aren't many improvements on the iPhone 16e. There will be just one main camera on the back, which Apple calls a "2-in-1 camera system." It's a single 48MP camera that supports night mode and portrait mode at the same time. The high-resolution sensor lets you crop the image for a 2x telephoto effect. The iPhone 16e can shoot 4K 60FPS video with spatial audio support.

Apple opened pre-orders for the iPhone 16e on February 28 and the product officially hit shelves on March 7. The iPhone 16e comes in only two color options, white and black, starting at VND16.99 million, and three storage options: 128, 256, and 512 GB. The company also sells cases in five colors for VND1.2 million.